A Little Politics, A Little Religion

The result, most likely, to offend all, but it’s on my mind.  A quote from an MSNBC article on OWS:

"Inherently, in asking for demands, you are accepting that there is a power greater than yourself, which is something that this movement is categorically against," Patrick Bruner, a 23-year-old protester, told the group. "This movement is founded on autonomous action and collective wisdom."

With the current methodology of updated stories, adding to or rewriting entirely instead of new reports, this may be changed by the time someone clicks on the above.  Sort of 1984’s newspeak. Of course, that book is no longer something to be concerned about in the future – we’re 27 years past that worry, right?

We’re more than a century past the Gettysburg Address, too, where Lincoln affirmed that, united, the States remained “… a government of the people, by the people, for the people” and would remain so in the future.

I look upon the Constitution as a contract.  The people gave power to the government, and the people – using the Constitution – can remove power from the government. While the government retains the given power, its authority is greater than the individuals who vote candidates into positions of power.  In this instance, complaining people rail against current problems without seeking solutions, without ideas to rectify the problem. We have to do that in the voting booth.

Contracts involve responsibilities on both sides.  Voters may combine into groups to help redefine government’s responsibilities. Special interest groups have done it quite successfully.

Religion is a bit different.  It’s not a negotiable contract.  God is the greater power, shown from the beginning:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

Though there are many other scriptures that speak to His power, I personally like a couple of Isaiah’s verses:

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: (Isaiah 45:5 KJV)

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6 KJV)

We are encouraged to approach Him with our petitions:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6 KJV)

Earthly authority exists because God allows it.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1 KJV)

We are to pray for those in authority, too:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV)

The accumulation of wealth is not a Christian doctrine. But, it is within Christ’s teaching that we are to respect authority, pray for those in authority as we strive to lead quiet and peaceable lives.

Returning to the political, please study the issues, the political platforms and vote for those that match your principles.  Wouldn’t hurt a bit to become actively involved in the democratic process, beyond the vote.